Pages

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Hello Everyone! I chose the picture posted above because it reminds me of reading to my daughter Mareena when she was little. Every afternoon until she was about eight or nine years old, we would take one of her books that she wanted to read or that she was reading and we would curl up together on my big bed. We would spend an hour or so reading a chapter of her book, and then take a nap together. Her absolutely favorite author at that time was an English author named Enid Blyton. Ahh, nice memories...My picks for 'Books of the Month' will be decidedly more adult these days, but they will be from almost any genre. April's Book of the Month is:

Born: 9 December 1943 in Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire, England (The Cotwolds)

Canonical Name: Joanna Trollope

Pseudonyms: Caroline Harvey

The Best of Friends by Joanna Trollope was the twentieth book that I read in 2011. I have had this book on my TBR bookshelf since 31 March 2011 although I actually read the book in April 2011. It took me three days to read this book and I sent this book off to another good home on August 13, 2011.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

27. Gone to Her Death by Jill McGown (1989)Lloyd and Hill Series Book 3Length: 288 pagesGenre: Contemporary MysteryStarted: 21 April 2011Finished: 26 April 2011Where did it come from? From a Library Book SaleHow long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 18 April 2011Why do I have it? I like contemporary mysteries and Jill McGown is a new author for me.

Chief Inspector Lloyd and Sergeant Judy Hill come together to solve the rape and murder of the deputy head master's wife at a second-rate English public school during a ball. What happens when there is a long list of suspects and the murder weapon from years ago turns up missing? I have to say that I have trouble following police procedurals sometimes; although it was well-written and I did like it.

This is the third book of Scottish author Jill McGown's Lloyd and Hill Series. Also known as Death of a Dancer. I give it an A+! Ms. McGown passed away in 2007.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

26. A Change in Altitude by Anita Shreve (2009)Length: 468 pagesGenre: Historical FictionStarted: 21 April 2011Finished: 24 April 2011Where did it come from? From Paperback SwapHow long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 2 April 2011Why do I have it? I like Anita Shreve as an author and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.

Patrick and Margaret have already been together for two years - married for just five months - when Patrick, a physician, receives news of a recently vacated position working in a hospital in Kenya. Despite the fact that the couple will be living in another country, the job description seems perfect for Patrick and he decides to take the position. Having never traveled anywhere beyond her tiny hometown in Massachusetts, Magaret willingly gives up her job as a photographer for a struggling local newspaper, and eagerly joins her husband on what she is certain will be a grand adventure. So the young newlyweds embark on their year-long sojourn to Africa with the highest of hopes that their experience will be memorable.

While Patrick views their move to Africa as a chance to fulfill a longstanding desire to practice in his chosen field, Margaret quickly realizes that she is the person who is most out of place within an otherwise familiar society. She soon understands that there is much that she doesn't know about the complex mores of her new home. And while Patrick has quickly grown accustomed to living in Africa, Margaret also discovers that there is still much for her to learn about the husband she thought she knew.

Three months after their arrival, a British couple invites them to take part in an expedition to the summit of Mount Kenya. According to their new friends, Margaret and Patrick will be climbing with themselves and another couple, during a four-day-long excursion. Although they are relative amateurs when it comes to climbing, Margaret and Patrick nevertheless eagerly accept their acquaintances' invitation. After all, the British couple assures them that although the ascent is arduous, the expedition is otherwise entirely safe.

Except it isn't. At some point during the team's harrowing ascent, a terrible accident occurs. In the aftermath of such devastating tragedy, Margaret struggles to understand what actually happened on the mountain and how these events have seemingly transformed herself and her marriage, perhaps forever.

Anita Shreve's A Change in Altitude provides a heartfelt portrait of a fledgling marriage. Written with a stunning emotional intensity and strikingly lyrical language, Ms. Shreve transports her readers to the exotic landscape of Africa and into the most intimate of relationships. She delves into the private life of a newly married couple, the irrevocable impact of a tragedy, and the elusive nature of forgiveness.

I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book; I found it to be an interesting story with an intriguing plot. I have consistently found Ms. Shreve to be an excellent writer; her characters are remarkably sympathetic and well-developed - just ordinary people faced with every day, realistic dilemmas. In my opinion, this was a well-told story, set in an exotic location and was a leisurely-paced, enjoyable reading experience for me. I give this book a definite A+!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

25. Secrecy by Belva Plain (1997)Length: 493 pagesGenre: Contemporary FictionStarted: 18 April 2011Finished: 20 April 2011Where did it come from? From BookmoochHow long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 17 August 2010Why do I have it? I like Belva Plain as an author and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.

When Charlotte Dawes is raped by her cousin-by-marriage, Ted at 14, her parents are furious. Charlotte becomes pregnant, and as she recovers from a ruptured tubal pregnancy both parents are at her bedside. Meanwhile, Ted continues assaulting women until he is caught and indicted. He then escapes from prison into the night.

Eight years later, Charlotte is working in Manhattan and despairs of forming a relationship with a man, until she meets Roger Heywood who coaxes her out of her traumatic fear of sex. Disaster follows when a flood happens, potentially revealing a terrible secret. It was a little farfetched but I notice with Belva Plain that you really learn to care about the characters. I give it an A+!

Sunday, April 17, 2011

24. The Black House by Paul Theroux (1974)Length: 256 pagesGenre: HorrorStarted: 13 April 2011Finished: 17 April 2011Where did it come from? From Paperback SwapHow long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 24 April 2009Why do I have it? I like horror and Paul Theroux is a new author for me.

When Alfred and Emma Munday return from Africa they buy a house in the Dorset countryside. Their marriage is slowly disintergrating and when ghostly occurances start happening to them they don't tell each other about them. This book had great promise but didn't fulfill in my opinion. The plot was great but had a lot of sections that went nowhere. I give this book a B!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

23. When Darkness Falls by James Grippando (2007)Jack Swyteck Series Book 6Length: 336 pagesGenre: Contemporary MysteryStarted: 2 April 2011Finished: 12 April 2011Where did it come from? From Paperback SwapHow long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 2 April 2011Why do I have it? I like contemporary mysteries and James Grippando is a new author for me.

Miami lawyer Jack Swyteck defends a homeless man named Falcon who takes hostages at a hotel after being released from jail. Falcon has among his hostages, Theo Knight, a man who Swyteck once pulled off death row and who became his best friend. He also wants to talk to Alicia Mendoza, a police officer who's dating the blind hostage negotiatior and happens to be the mayor's daughter. What Jack doesn't know is that Falcon has a deeper agenda and is panicked enough to do anything to clear his name.

I did enjoy this book. It was written very well but was a little convoluted plot wise. I give it B+!

Saturday, April 9, 2011

22. The Wingless Bird by Catherine Cookson (1990)Length: 383 pagesGenre: Historical FictionStarted: 6 April 2011Finished: 9 April 2011Where did it come from? From BookmoochHow long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 31 March 2011Why do I have it? I generally like Catherine Cookson as an author and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.

This is the story of Agnes Conway and her escape from a humdrum life in to a life of unexpected love. I have to say that although Catherine Cookson can be relied upon for good plots, she is somewhat repetitive in her phrasing and language style. I give this story a B+!

21. Unsavory Delicacies: Three Short Stories of Suspense by Russell Brooks (2011)Length: 23 pagesGenre: Short StoryStarted/Finished: 9 April 2011Where did it come from? Many thanks to Russell for sending me a copy of this book to read.How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 9 March 2011Why do I have it? I enjoy short stories and Russell Brooks is a new author for me.

How far would you go to get revenge on the person who ruined your reputation? In these three short stories by Russell Brooks, a rogue operative, a food critic, and a mob boss each encounter embarrassing and tragic consequences for their actions. I truly enjoyed these stories; they were fast-paced and gripping. I give Unsavory Delicacies an A!

Monday, April 4, 2011

20. The Best of Friends by Joanna Trollope (1995)Length: 320 pagesGenre: Contemporary FictionStarted: 1 April 2011Finished: 4 April 2011Where did it come from? From BookmoochHow long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 31 March 2011Why do I have it? I used to like Joanna Trollope as an author and have read and enjoyed several books by this author in the past.

Gina and Laurence had been childhood friends and were the best of friends as adults. They were never in love with each other, just the best of friends. Now, Gina was married to the worldly Fergus (who had changed his name from Leslie) and Laurence was married to Hilary. Both had children and seemingly idyllic lives.

Then, Fergus told Gina that he wanted a divorce. She was shattered and turned to Laurence for understanding; but what Laurence did for Gina endangered his own happy family. I loved this story. I thought it was very engrossing and I give it an A+!

Saturday, April 2, 2011

19. Murder in Mayberry: Greed, Death and Mayhem in a Small Town by Mary Kinney Branson and Jack Branson (2008)Length: 298 pagesGenre: True CrimeStarted: 26 March 2011Finished: 2 April 2011Where did it come from? From BookmoochHow long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 25 March 2011Why do I have it? I like true crime and have never actually heard of the Ann Branson case.

When town native Ann Branson was found murdered in her basement in Madisonville, Kentucky townspeople were shocked. Crimes like murder just didn't happen in Madisonville. It was unheard of. A retired federal agent, Ann's nephew Jack Branson will not let his aunt's case die; and it is unheard of to Jack that all clues in his aunt's murder start to point to a member of his own family.

I have to say that the plot of this true crime book was a little slow for me and even though the crime was horrible, the writing was somewhat fanciful in parts. I give this story a B+!

Friday, April 1, 2011

Hello everyone out there and I hope that you all had a terrific reading month for yourselves. I am known as Rosefire around the Internet and this is my new personal reading blog. I originally posted my reviews over at my daughter's blog, Emeraldfire's Bookmark but am now in the process of transferring them all over to my own blog. My daughter makes blogging look like so much fun that I thought that I would try it out for myself! :)

Anyway, I started out March with 657 unread books lying around the house and ended the month with 650 books unread. All of the books that I acquired this month came from Bookmooch and Paperback Swap; and a Library Book Sale that we went to on the 11th.

Added to my TBR pile (oh well, you win some and you lose some! :))
- Winter Harvest by Norah Lofts
- The Wingless Bird by Catherine Cookson
- Unsavory Delicacies by Russell Brooks
- The Best of Friends by Joanna Trollope
- Murder in Mayberry: Greed, Death and Mayhem in a Small Town by Mary Kinney Branson and Jack Branson- The Ambush Murders by Ben Bradlee
- The Zani Murders by Kelly Fero
- Hunting Evil: Inside the Ipswich Serial Murders by Paul Harrison

Taken off my TBR pile and sent to a new home (Yay! Happy Dance! :))- The Third Deadly Sin by Lawrence Sanders
- I'll be Seeing You by Mary Higgins Clark
- The Deep End of the Ocean by Jacquelyn Mitchard
- Be Healed by Marilyn Hickey
- Erica Wilson's Children's World by Janet Wilson
- Kirkland Revels by Victoria Holt

Well, there it is...the breakdown! All in all, a very good reading month for me. Here's a further breakdown:

Books Read: 7Pages Read: 2,260Grade Range: A+! to A!

So, there you go! The reading month that was March. I hope that you all had an equally good reading month; if not a little better. :) See you all next month! :)

Books Read in 2017 - Goal: 1 More Than Last Year!

Join me on Google!

Total Number of Unread Books on Rosefire's Bookshelf as of August 29, 2017

Books Donated in 2017

Follow by Email

Search This Blog

About Me

I'm obviously an avid reader who was dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century by my daughter adding me as a friend here. :) It has opened up a whole new world to me. She has been blogging for three years and had added me as a guest blogger on her site under the alias Rosefire. Now I'm taking baby steps on my own by setting up my own blog. I truly never realized that there were so many people on the Internet who shared my same obsession with reading but it's wonderful to meet you all. By the way, my daughter is Emeraldfire on this site.